Private tours in Lisbon & surroundings
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Program
We take the motorway towards south, to cross Alentejo province, with its endless plains, its cork, olive oil, wine, the vast golden
wheat fields undulating in the wind – and a great deal of space left over for simple nature, rosemary and lavender.
We then get in the Algarve. Wherever you look, the colours of the mountains and sea are always with you, creating the impression
of a water-colour dotted with highlights of gold, green and blue.
Silves is our first stop. The dark red of the mighty castle walls loom over the city and the surrounding countryside. The interplay
of stone and light on the gothic architecture. Vestiges of the Moorish presence in the city's history. Streets of white houses that
reflect the sun and the blue sky.
Silves retains much of its former charm in the streets of the old 'almedina', which are still laid out as they were in medieval times.
The Jewish quarter was situated between R. das Portas de Loulé and what is nowadays the parish hall.
Here we find the biggest castle in the Algarve and the most beautiful military monument to the Islamic period in Portugal. From the
castle there are spectacular views of the town and surrounding countryside.
The Sé Velha (Old Cathedral) was built out of the region's fine red sandstone in the 13th century.
In Silves you find the handicraft of the nearby Porches, known for its artistic potteries, which try to preserve ancient Iberian and
Moorish patterns.
Portimao, with its narrow streets of the old fishermen and tradesmen quarter, old of many centuries. A degree of port atmosphere
pervades the area near the numerous simple eating-places, small family businesses, where one can enjoy excellent fresh fish.
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Next is Lagos. Its fame derives from its association with Portugal's 14th-and 15th-century Age of Discovery and it offers a balance of the charm and
history of the Portuguese culture. The beaches around Lagos are some of the most beautiful of the Algarve. However, it is the promontory named Ponta da
Piedade and sheltering the bay of Lagos which is most admired by visitors, with its caves, rocks and wonderfully transparent waters.
The Governor's Castle is an Arab construction, and possibly was once a fortress. The ancient walls remain.
A modern and well equipped marina dominates the sea front and the town is now firmly positioned as a centre for tourists from all over the world.
There is a delicious array of fabulous dishes to try and when visiting definitely don’t miss the fresh fish!
We’ll proceed to Sagres, to visit the old fortress of the Portuguese school of navigators "who brought new worlds to the World". It can be a powerful
sensation to sit quietly anywhere along the cliff tops here and look out to sea and ponder the extraordinary adventurers who have passed this way. Both
Sagres and Cabo de Sao Vicente lie on a rocky plateau which terminates abruptly at the coast to form steep cliffs.
Saint Vincent cape is the most south western point of Europe and known as 'Fim do Mundo' - the end of the world. In ancient times this area was
considered a sacred spot - religious ceremonies being held here and that it was inhabited by gods. The cliffs rise nearly vertically from the Atlantic to a
height of 150m/500feet and it´s one of the most scenic places in Portugal.
The cape is a site of exuberant marine life and a high concentration of birds nesting on the cliffs, such as the rare Bonelli's eagle, peregrine falcons, kites,
rock thrushes, rock pigeons, storks and herons.
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...The first people in the Algarve were traders and Estate stewards that established their colonies on the coasts, like the
Phoenicians and the Carthaginians. The Algarve was once part of the Roman province of Lusitânia, later becoming part of
the Visigoths' jurisdiction. One of the most important facts in the Algarve's history: the five centuries of Arab occupation,
visible in the regions architecture (lattice chimneys, tiles, whitewashed houses, labyrinthine streets, etc.). Since 1249, and until
the Republic proclamation, the Portuguese monarchs were entitled "King of Portugal and of the Algarves". The Algarve
became a lot more important during the Discoveries, being used as one of the main departure ports. Nothing stops the
“algarvios” – people of Algarve -, who despite all the adversities made it what it is today: a wonderful resort by the sea!...
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